Table and drier combination



June 1, 1937. M; CAPRA 2,082,3 0

TABLE AND DRIER COMBINATION Filed Dec. 29, 1931 M '26 /6 33 3 ,7 Z5 24 33 3 l5 27 v INVENTOR. g BY MflRY CAPRH ATTORNEY.

Patented June 1, 1937 rrso STATES 2,082,380 TABLE AND DRIER COMBINATION Mary Capra, Alameda, Calif. Application December 29, 1931, Serial No. 583,645

3 Claims. (01. 34-26) f A The invention relates to the provision of a clothes drying means in combination with a kitchen table or the like.

An object of the invention is to provide for the disposal of clothing, or other articles to be dried, beneath a table and in a manner to permit a normal use of the table top.

A further object is to provide a structure of the character described wherein a rack for the articles to be dried is arranged to be drawn from beneath the table for placement or removal of the articles.

A further object is to provide in the structure a means for positively creating a drying draft of air through the space occupied by the articles to be dried.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth or be apparent in the following description of a typical embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which,

Figure 1 is a front face view of a table structure equipped with a drying means of my invention.

Figure 2 is an end view of the table, a drying rack of the invention being shown extended from beneath the table top.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the rack as withdrawn from the table.

. Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken at the line 5-5 in Figure 3.

Figure 6 isan enlarged fragmentary view for 5 particularly showing the means of mounting the rack on the table structure.

As particularly illustrated, the present invention is incorporated in the structure of a table 1 which comprises a rectangular frame formed of side and end members 8 and 9, a top 1 I mounted on the frame, and legs !2 secured to and depending from the frame corners.

Means are provided beneath the table top H for supporting clothes or other articles for drying while the same are disposed in the space defined beneath said topand between the legs l2. Essentially, said supporting means comprise a structure on which to hang the articles to be dried, and in the present instance said structure comprises a pair of racks l3, each said rack comprising a rectangular frame I l having side and end members l5 and I6 respectively. Bars I'l extend between the rack frame ends iii for supporting clothing and the like in depending and mutually parallel relation beneath the table top,

the bars ll being disposed sufficiently beneath the table top I I to permit any required fastening thereto of the articles to be dried. While the bars I! are particularly shown as extending longitudinally of the table, it is to be understood that they might be disposed transversely of t e table and a rack for. use in supporting articles thereat.

Means are provided whereby the racks l3 may be extendedlat'erally of and from beneath the table top for facilitating the placing of the articles on the bars I! for drying thereof, or for removing such articles after they are dried. As particularly illustrated, each of the rack frame members I6 is provided witha tongue l8 therealong for engagement in a groove l9 of a member 2| which is mounted beneath and across the table top; as-shown, the member 2! may be secured to and between the upper portions of the end pairs of legs l2. In this manner, each rack i3 is arranged to be slidably moved between a normal operative position thereof beneath the table top and an extended position for loading or unloading thereof.

Means are provided for supporting a rack I3 when it is extended from the table. Asparticularly shown, legs 22 are pivoted at the front face of the outer side member l5 of a. rack for movement in the general plane of the member if and between extended and retracted positions thereof. If desired, a support element 23 may be provided for coaction between the rack member l5 and the supportmember 2!, said element provided at its extremities with oppositely directed trunnions 24 for movement through slots 25 and 26 respectively provided in the members it and 2 i. In this manner the rack may be supported while extended from the table, it being noted that the legs 22 prevent a tipping of the table by reason of the weight of a loaded rack extending therefrom.

Means are provided for circulating air around and between the articles carried on a rack l3 while the same is disposed beneath. the table top. As particularly shown, said means comprises electric fans 2'! mounted at and beneath the opposite table ends whereby to create forced air drafts through the space beneath the table top and for drying the articles therein. The fans 2'! may be of a usual type wherein the motor and fan assembly is pivoted to a base 28. As particularly illustrated, a hanger bar 29 depends from each table top extremity, and a fan base 28 is removably fixed to the bar by means of U-shaped catch elements 3| which rotatably extend through the bars 29 adjacent the free ends thereof. It is noted that the present arrangement for mounting the fan on the hanger bars 29 permits the disposal of the fan at either side of said bar. Each bar 29 is preferably hinged to the table top I l whereby the same may be swung to a horizontal or upwardly extending position; in this manner the fan may be disposed for other uses than creating an air drying blast beneath the table, and While it is mounted on the hanger bar. A suitable element 3| is provided for securing a hanger bar 29 to an adjacent table portion such as the frame member 9.

If desired, protective cages or baskets 32 may be provided beneath the racks l3 for preventing contact of the clothing thereon with the floor or the garments of a person working at the table. The cages 32 may conveniently be constructed of wire for maximum porosity, and are shown as removably mounted in place through the engage ment of their top elements 33 over supporting hooks 34 mounted on and beneath the rack frame members l6. As particularly illustrated, the hooks 34 are carried on shafts 35 extending through the outer frame members 15 and terminating in crank handles 36. In this manner, the cages 32 are arranged for ready removal or replacement. It will be understood that the cages are operative to keep, longer articles from contact with the floor, and that such articles may be reversed as to their drying positions after the upper portions thereof are dried.

The structural combination now described, it is noted, provides for utilizing space not other wise used, it being understood that the device is particularly valuable where available space is limited. When the racks and cages are not in use for drying clothing and the like, the same may, of course, beutilized to support and contain articles which are to be disposed out of the way. It will be further noted that the features of present invention may be provided in a single rack mounted beneath the table top without departing from the spirit of the invention.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the advantages of the construction and method of operation will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of operation, together with the device which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative, and that such changes may be made, when desired, as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States the following:

1. An article of household furniture comprising a table having a top providing an upper working surface and overlying a laterally open and normally free space extending to the supporting surface for the table, a frame disposed beneath and adjacent said table top and provided with spaced and mutually parallel bars disposed closely adjacent said table top for supporting cloth articles of domestic use in hanging condition in the aforesaid space, means mounting said frame on said table for a sliding displacement laterally thereof for extension laterally of and from said table top, and a leg member pivotally carried at an outer edge portion of said frame and arranged for inoperative disposal against the frame or operative disposal to support the outer portion of said frame from said supporting surface while the frame is in extended relation to the table top.

2. An article of household furniture comprising a movable table including a planar table top element supported to overlie a normally free space which is laterally open at opposite ends thereof, a drier rack mounted on said table beneath said top and providing spaced and mutually parallel bars immediately adjacent the top for supporting articles of domestic use in free hanging condition and mutually spaced relation in said space in planes extending between said open ends of the space, a fan disposable at a said end of the space for circulating air longitudinally therethrough, and a hanger bar carrying said fan and hinged to an end of the top whereby said fan may be swung to and from its said operative position while supported from said table top.

3. An article of household furniture including a table having its top at a usual height for domestic use and overlying a laterally open and normally free space, a flat drier rack disposed beneath and immediately adjacent said top and arranged for the support of cloth articles of domestic use in depending relation therefrom and in said open space for the horizontal circulation of air between the articles, and a collapsible support means mounting said rack on said table for movement of the rack laterally from and beneath said top for facilitating the placement and removal of the articles with respect to the rack, said rack-supporting means being arranged to be collapsed entirely beneath the table top when the rack is disposed beneath said top.

MARY CAPRA. 

